Aston Villa have been unable to break down Championship side Blackpool in a goalless first half of their FA Cup third-round meeting at Villa Park.

Villa youngster Jack Grealish was heavily involved in the early stages of the contest, producing a couple of fine runs which ultimately came to nothing.

Christian Benteke saw his header kept out by Joe Lewis as the home side pushed for a goal, while Andrea Orlandi's volley from a corner flew wide of the target for the Tangerines at the other end.

Clear chances proved few and far between in a quiet opening 45 minutes, although Shay Given was forced into making a smart save 10 minutes before the interval to push aside another Orlandi strike which took a deflection off Ciaran Clark on its way through.

The last attempt of the half came via the boot of Benteke, who took a touch of the ball and fired into the side-netting after being picked out by Grealish.